Question

Draw graph for stretching force (F) vs amount of stretching (x). Calculate the slope of your F vs x graph. This is from Hooke's law experiment

Is the mass of the spring negligible? Why or why not?

In the plot of force vs. x, did you start your graph at the origin? Explain why or why not.

Answer 1

when a spring is pulled by as force F, the spring is displaced from itd equillibrium position

F = kx

where, k is the spring constant.

the slope is given by

slope = (y₂ - y₁)/(x₂ - x₁) = F/x = k

the slope of the hooke law graph gives the value of spring constant

The mass of the spring is too much small to have any effect on the elongation etc. so its always neglected.

the equation of straight line is given by

y = m*x +c

where, m= slope and c = intercept, means the point where it will cut the axis

if c = 0, then it will begin from the origin.

comparing hookes law with the straight line equaiton, we have

y= m*x +c

f= k*x +0

we see here in hooke law that the intercept is zero. thats why we start the graph from the origin.